Ten years after they were inspired to help some of the world’s most vulnerable children, three medical students have returned to Nottingham to celebrate their success and highlight future challenges.
Dr Dan Magnus, Dr Beccy Lesley and Owain Evans set up KOP in 2001 to support orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya.
Since then, with the help of student volunteers from 17 UK Universities, KOP has been involved in establishing a hospital, a health clinic, a primary and secondary school, two community/feeding centres and a support and rehabilitation centre for street children.
To mark its 10th anniversary, the charity returned to where it all began for a conference for all those that have been involved in its success and for those volunteers due to visit Kenya in 2012.
Dr Magnus, who was recently voted BMJ Junior Doctor of the Year, explained: “KOP started because three medical students wanted to give something back and were very aware of the HIV epidemic and levels of child poverty that were persisting in Africa. I’m not sure that we could have dared to dream it would be so successful when we talked about the first project in the Medical School coffee bar.
“Since then almost 1,000 students have volunteered in numerous projects, helping to improve health and education for vulnerable children. However, just as important is the experience they get from seeing the effect of the widespread poverty and disease that exists. Not only will this help them in their own career but will also encourage them to be advocates for change, in whatever career path they take.”
The KOP conference was held at the University’s Medical School, and included keynote speakers including John Mcluskey and Eunice Ndirangu, from the University, as well as a representative from Karnival, the student fundraising society. The day was rounded off with a charity ball.
Fourth-year medical student James Williams was one of 36 Nottingham students who visited Kenya in the summer of 2010 to help at projects including: HOVIC, a centre for street children; Kochogo, a rural feeding centre; and Alendu Primary School on the outskirts of Kisumu.
He said the experience had been one of the best in his life and urged fellow students to accompany him when he returns to Kenya next year.
James said: “The trip certainly broadened my horizons, took me to an area of the world that I might otherwise never have visited and gave me a better appreciation of different cultures – something which will definitely help me in my future career. It was incredible to see all of the money I had raised being used to improve people’s lives and the chance to get involved with children at HOVIC is an experience I will not forget.
“After a fantastic ten years I think even more exciting prospects lie ahead!”
More photos are available at the online version of Exchange at: https://exchange.nottingham.ac.uk/.
KOP is supported by Cascade. Donations from the University’s community of alumni, students, parents and staff have created Cascade (formerly the Annual Fund) to support transformative student projects. Judged by a panel of leading alumni donors, the fund awards up to £25,000 to projects that will enrich the lives of our students and people across the world. To find out more, please visit: http://tiny.cc/UoNcascade.
To find out more about KOP, please visit: www.kopafrica.org/.